BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 323 



The Ceylou pearl fislieries are carried on on the west coast of Ceylon, 

 in the Gulf of JNIauaar, south of the island of the same name, and also 

 on the west coast of India, near Tuticorin, The beds lie in groups. 

 One of these is opposite the town of Arippu, and comprises the so-called 

 Paria-par, Paria-par Karai, Cheval-par, Kallutidel-par, and Modara- 

 gam-par. The famous Karaitivu bed is opposite the town of that 

 name. Other well-known beds are the Karakupanai-par, and the 

 Jekenpedai-par. All these beds lie at a distance of at least 6 to 8 

 miles from the coast, and at a depth of 5i to 8i fathoms from the sur- 

 face. They have a rocky bottom protruding from the sand, and are 

 exposed to the currents of the sea. The beds are under the supervision 

 of an inspector appointed by the local government, which has the ex- 

 clusive working of them. The laborers and divers are natives, who as 

 payment receive 25 per cent of all the pearls they find. Experience 

 has shown that few pearls, and these of little value, come from mussels 

 which are not older than five years. During the fifth and sixth year 

 the value doubles, and in the seventh year it becomes fourfold. The 

 pearls are not fully matured if they are taken out too soon; and on the 

 other hand, the animal dies, if the pearls remain too long in the shells. 

 For these reasons pearl fishing is prohibited at certain periods. 



Up to the year 1863 there was no system in these fisheries. The re- 

 sults were as follows : 



In 18G3 there were caught on twenty-two fishing days 11,695,000 

 pearl-oysters, yielding pearls to the value of 918,324 crowns [$246,110.83]. 

 The next fisheries were in 1874, when 1,700,000 pearl-oysters yielded 

 182,160 crowns' [$48,818,88] worth of pearls. In 1877 there were caught 

 on thirty fishing days 6,850,000 pearl-oysters, yielding pearls to the 

 value of 341,136 crowns [$91,424.45]. The yield in 1879 was unusually 

 good, as twelve fishing days yielded 7,650,000 pearl-oysters. In 1880 the 

 fisheries lasted from March 19 till April 2, and during these eleven days 

 11,000,000 pearl-oysters were caught. In 1881 as many as 60,000,000 

 were caught, yielding pearls to the value of 1,080,000 crowns [$289,440J. 

 These fisheries are now carried on according to a well-regulated system. 

 The divers receive their wages as soon as they reach the coast. 



When the pearls have been gathered, they are classified in the fol- 

 lowing manner : 



(1) "Anie," pearl-eyes; that is, pearls of perfectly round shape and 

 pure luster. 



